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African Art at the
Ralph Proctor Gallery
Head of the Oni
- country: Nigeria
- people: Ife (Yoruba)
- medium: cast bronze/brass
- size: 12 inches high
- price: $2,000.
- item #: RPG0002
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The Ife are said to have originated bronze casting.
The heads were created for a different reason than
those of the Benin. They were cast as a portrait
of a deceased king (Oni). When the king died, a
life-size bronze casting was created and attached
to a full-size wooden body that was dressed with
the Oni's royal garments. The likeness was seated
on the throne until the new Oni was crowned. This
is a 20th century casting.
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